What are the responsibilities and job description for the Horticulture Assistant position at City of Wheat Ridge?
Description
Position Summary
The Horticulture Assistant is responsible for assisting in the design, planting, care and maintenance of annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses and shrubs to enhance and appearance within the City's parks, open space, public rights-of-way, and other properties under the City's control.
The Horticulture Assistant is expected to have an interest in horticulture and a willingness to learn about plant care and maintenance specific to Colorado’s Front Range. They should be eager to develop knowledge of proper plant selection, care techniques, and the use of tools and equipment. This individual should be dedicated and dependable, have a solutions-orientated mindset, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team. Adaptability to change tasks and environmental conditions are important to success in this position.
All team members are expected to adhere to the organizational values of ACTION! (Accountability, Change, Teamwork, Integrity, Opportunity, Now!) and are responsible for contributing to the achievements of the organization and department. Team members are expected to continue to grow professionally and to apply learning in their job setting.
Schedule: 4-10 hour shifts (April-October) and 5-8 hour shifts (November-March). Schedules may be subject to change.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Position Responsibilities
- Assist with a variety of miscellaneous horticulture duties including planting, maintaining, watering, inspecting, weeding, pruning and removing annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses and shrubs within the City's parks and open space properties, on public right-of-way and other properties under the control of the City.
- Prepare and maintain all annual and non-woody perennial/shrub beds.
- Conduct pest and disease inspections and assist with applying pesticides and fertilizers as directed by the Horticultural Technicians.
- Oversee the activities and assist with training of seasonal team members.
- Assist with record keeping relative to plant maintenance work.
- Assist in planning and purchasing of plant related supplies, materials and other specialized horticultural equipment.
- Responds to and assists with a variety of service requests.
- Performs snow removal and operations duties such as snow plowing, salting, and removal of ice and snow. Staff will be required to respond to snow removal during off-hours.
- Must be available for weekend and holiday duty or overtime when needed.
- Completes daily vehicle check, cleans and maintains equipment as necessary, and reports problems and incidents promptly.
- Perform a variety of miscellaneous maintenance duties including trash pickup.
- Assist forestry, open space, and parks maintenance teams as needed.
- Will be required to assist with weekend watering and may be required to assist with special projects and events.
- Other duties assigned that are appropriate to the position.
Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
Education, Experience, and Requirements
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
General
- Knowledge of plants used in landscaping in Colorado’s Front Range including annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs and small tress and techniques of planning, planting, maintaining, treating these plant types and associated planting sites.
- Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions of the trade.
- Recognize identify plants used in landscaping in Colorado’s Front Range and be able to identify, diagnose and treat diseased or infested plants.
- Perform manual labor for extended periods of time and in all types of weather.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Mechanical
- Ability to maintain, repair, clean, and use tools, instruments, and devices.
- Ability to operate light hand and power tools and heavy equipment.
Technology
- Intermediate knowledge of software used by the City such as Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel, timekeeping programs, and knowledge of Vueworks (the City’s asset management program) is a plus.
Communication
- Provide exceptional customer service to colleagues, members of the public and difficult customers. Must be able to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively both verbally and in written form.
Mathematical
- Multiplication, division, subtraction, and addition skills to determine quantities and spacing needed to for planting, reporting requirements, and data collection
Organization
- Ability to organize, prioritize, and record tasks.
- Ability to adapt to changing job priorities and conditions.
- Ability to recall the timing of specific procedures and locations and effectively keep information regarding tasks and procedures organized.
Evidence Of Qualifications
Education and Experience
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Previous experience in horticulture, landscaping, gardening, or a related field is preferred but not required. Training will be provided.
License or Certification:
- Possess a current and valid driver’s license and maintain a good driving record. If moving from a different state, a Colorado license must be obtained within (30) days of hire. Background screen and preemployment physical is required.
Supplemental Information
Supervision Received
Works under the day-to-day leadership of the Horticulture Technicians and the supervision of the Forestry and Open Space Supervisor.
Supervision Exercised
Provides day-to-day guidance to seasonal employees.
Independence Of Action
Work is performed within authorized limits prescribed by the supervisor and/or policy. Exercises independent judgment in selecting and interpreting information, handling deviations from standard methods, and resolving problems, including emergencies. Finished work is reviewed for attainment of objectives and adherence to deadlines. Supervisor is available to assist in solving problems.
General Information
Working Conditions
- Work is primarily outdoors, performed in cold, hot, or inclement weather. Involves frequent exposure to noise levels that may cause distractions. May be exposed to confined work areas and to chemicals, fumes, cold, heat, dirt, dust, noise, wetness, solvents, oils, gases, and occasionally to electrical energy, humidity, and pesticides. May work near traffic and occasionally will work around water and electricity.
- Must have ability to climb, bend, crouch, stoop, reach with both hands, carry, pull, push, or lift object weighing in excess of 50 pounds; intermittently sitting, standing and walking. Work requires the ability to hear, use of hands to fingers, and a high degree of manual skill.
It is the policy of the City of Wheat Ridge not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, national origin, disability, or any other status protected by federal, state, or municipal law unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification. The City of Wheat Ridge will consider reasonable accommodation for employment to qualified applicants upon request to the Human Resources Office.
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position.
LEAVE PROGRAMS
HOLIDAYS - 10 (8 Hour/Days) Annually
PERSONAL TIME-OFF (PTO): Time accrued is 6.25 hours/bi-weekly for those with 40 hour status. PTO days earned is dependent upon years of service and on status
EXTENDED SICK LEAVE (ESL): Time accrued is 1.54 hours/bi-weekly for those with 40 hour status. ESL earned is based on years of service and status and can be used for personal illness and injury or FMLA after 40 hours of PTO is used.
BENEFITS
Benefits are available the first of the month following date of hire. The City provides a contribution towards medical benefits based on type of coverage and status
MEDICAL INSURANCE
Kaiser (DHMO) – This is a more traditional plan using copays and coinsurance to pay for medical services.
Kaiser High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) - High deductible health plan with the ability to use a Health Savings Account. This plan you pay lower premiums but medical services can be more expensive.
DENTAL INSURANCE: The City provides two dental plan options for its employees. We offer an EPO plan (lower tier plan) or a PPO plan (higher tier plan) through Delta Dental
VISION INSURANCE: The City provides a supplemental plan at your cost for eye care coverage.
HSA: For those that are on the HDHP medical plan. You can use an HSA to set aside pre-tax money for medical and healthcare expenses. The City contributes to the HSA- $800 to individuals annually or $1100 for Employee plus One or Family Coverage.
Medical FSA: Only available to those on the Kaiser DHMO
Dependent Care FSA: You can use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible, employment-related dependent care expenses for your dependent children 12 and under. You can also use this account to reimburse care for dependents who are physically or mentally unable to care for themselves, such as spouses, parents, or grandparents.
Limited FSA: a limited purpose FSA allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for Dental and Vision expenses. This plan is only available to those on the HDHP Medical Plan.
RETIREMENT PLAN
401(A) - Immediate eligibility - mandatory participation. There is a mandatory Employer Contribution 4% of salary and a mandatory Employee Contribution 4% of salary. There is a 5 Year Vesting period at 20% per year.
457- Voluntary program where employees can contribute on a pre-tax or post-tax basis
Roth IRA- after-tax payroll deductions can be done to contribute to a Roth IRA
LIFE & DISABILITY
SHORT-TERM DISABILITY - A benefit of 60% of your monthly income, not to exceed a weekly amount of $500 up to a 13 week period (includes 30 day waiting period) should you become disabled.
LONG-TERM DISABILITY - If you become disabled, the benefit is 60% of your monthly income to a maximum of $6,000/month. Payments begin 90 days after absence from work.
GROUP TERM LIFE AND AD&D - The City pays for life insurance plus Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage equal to 1 1/2 x's the employee's annual salary up to $150,000 max plus $2000 life coverage for each dependent.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS/PROGRAMS
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - Services are available for six (6) free counseling sessions per case; legal and financial advice is also available.
WELLNESS PROGRAM- Premium deductions and annual incentive levels are offered to encourage participation in the wellness program. The City uses a social media platform called Sonic Boom to help encourage each other to be healthy and to create and participate in healthy competitions. Discounts are also offered on City of Wheat Ridge Rec Center passes.
RECOGNITION PROGRAM- Different annual events are done to recognize our employees such as an awards banquet, pancake breakfast, and Summer BBQ to recognize our employees. We also have a Give-A-Wow recognition platform so employees can capture each other doing great things and give each other points. By building points in this platform you can buy many different items online from gift cards, to electronic/clothes, and even PTO.
SAFETY PROGRAM- This program raises safety awareness and instills proactive behavior to create a safe working environment. Safety training is offered for continued growth.
VOLUNTARY LIFE INSURANCE- You have the opportunity to purchase additional life and AD&D insurance of up to $300K (or the lesser of 7 times your annual earnings). Additional Spouse and Children insurance can also be purchased.
CELLULAR DISCOUNTS- Different carriers offer mobile discounts for City employees
ACCIDENTAL & CRITICAL ILLNESS COVERAGE- these voluntary coverages are offered to assist employees injured or going through a major medical event.
Click HERE to find out more about our 2018 benefits.
HOLIDAYS - 10 (8 Hour/Days) Annually
PERSONAL TIME-OFF (PTO): Time accrued is 6.25 hours/bi-weekly for those with 40 hour status. PTO days earned is dependent upon years of service and on status
EXTENDED SICK LEAVE (ESL): Time accrued is 1.54 hours/bi-weekly for those with 40 hour status. ESL earned is based on years of service and status and can be used for personal illness and injury or FMLA after 40 hours of PTO is used.
BENEFITS
Benefits are available the first of the month following date of hire. The City provides a contribution towards medical benefits based on type of coverage and status
MEDICAL INSURANCE
Kaiser (DHMO) – This is a more traditional plan using copays and coinsurance to pay for medical services.
Kaiser High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) - High deductible health plan with the ability to use a Health Savings Account. This plan you pay lower premiums but medical services can be more expensive.
DENTAL INSURANCE: The City provides two dental plan options for its employees. We offer an EPO plan (lower tier plan) or a PPO plan (higher tier plan) through Delta Dental
VISION INSURANCE: The City provides a supplemental plan at your cost for eye care coverage.
HSA: For those that are on the HDHP medical plan. You can use an HSA to set aside pre-tax money for medical and healthcare expenses. The City contributes to the HSA- $800 to individuals annually or $1100 for Employee plus One or Family Coverage.
Medical FSA: Only available to those on the Kaiser DHMO
Dependent Care FSA: You can use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible, employment-related dependent care expenses for your dependent children 12 and under. You can also use this account to reimburse care for dependents who are physically or mentally unable to care for themselves, such as spouses, parents, or grandparents.
Limited FSA: a limited purpose FSA allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for Dental and Vision expenses. This plan is only available to those on the HDHP Medical Plan.
RETIREMENT PLAN
401(A) - Immediate eligibility - mandatory participation. There is a mandatory Employer Contribution 4% of salary and a mandatory Employee Contribution 4% of salary. There is a 5 Year Vesting period at 20% per year.
457- Voluntary program where employees can contribute on a pre-tax or post-tax basis
Roth IRA- after-tax payroll deductions can be done to contribute to a Roth IRA
LIFE & DISABILITY
SHORT-TERM DISABILITY - A benefit of 60% of your monthly income, not to exceed a weekly amount of $500 up to a 13 week period (includes 30 day waiting period) should you become disabled.
LONG-TERM DISABILITY - If you become disabled, the benefit is 60% of your monthly income to a maximum of $6,000/month. Payments begin 90 days after absence from work.
GROUP TERM LIFE AND AD&D - The City pays for life insurance plus Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage equal to 1 1/2 x's the employee's annual salary up to $150,000 max plus $2000 life coverage for each dependent.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS/PROGRAMS
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - Services are available for six (6) free counseling sessions per case; legal and financial advice is also available.
WELLNESS PROGRAM- Premium deductions and annual incentive levels are offered to encourage participation in the wellness program. The City uses a social media platform called Sonic Boom to help encourage each other to be healthy and to create and participate in healthy competitions. Discounts are also offered on City of Wheat Ridge Rec Center passes.
RECOGNITION PROGRAM- Different annual events are done to recognize our employees such as an awards banquet, pancake breakfast, and Summer BBQ to recognize our employees. We also have a Give-A-Wow recognition platform so employees can capture each other doing great things and give each other points. By building points in this platform you can buy many different items online from gift cards, to electronic/clothes, and even PTO.
SAFETY PROGRAM- This program raises safety awareness and instills proactive behavior to create a safe working environment. Safety training is offered for continued growth.
VOLUNTARY LIFE INSURANCE- You have the opportunity to purchase additional life and AD&D insurance of up to $300K (or the lesser of 7 times your annual earnings). Additional Spouse and Children insurance can also be purchased.
CELLULAR DISCOUNTS- Different carriers offer mobile discounts for City employees
ACCIDENTAL & CRITICAL ILLNESS COVERAGE- these voluntary coverages are offered to assist employees injured or going through a major medical event.
Click HERE to find out more about our 2018 benefits.
Salary : $800 - $150,000
